April 2021 Draft Tredyffrin Township COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHESTER COUNTY, PA 2021 DRAFT 04/15/21 Tredyffrin Township Chester County, Pennsylvania Comprehensive Plan Update, 2021 Tredyffrin Township Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors Planning Commission Murph Wysocki, Chair Richard Parker, Chair Julie Gosse, Vice Chair Scott Growney, Vice Chair KS Bhaskar Peter Jonak Mark Freed Troy Logan Matt Holt Bill Rountree Sharon Humble Victoria Snyder Kevin O'Nell David Thomas William F. Martin, Township Manager Matt Baumann,Assistant Township Manager/Director of Planning & Zoning Amanda Lafty, Township Community Development Technician Tredyffrin Township Technical Assistance Comprehensive Plan Update This plan was prepared by the Township and is Task Force a product of the Township. Technical planning Rutger Boerema assistance was provided by the Chester County Planning Commission. Judy DiFilippo Mark Freed Susan Elks, AICP, Community Planning Director Scott Growney Chris Patriarca, AICP, Senior Community Planner Reaves “Trip” Lukens, III Kate Clark, AICP, Community Planner David Miller Mason Gilbert, Community Planner Bill Rountree Paul Fritz, RLA, AICP, Design and Technology Director Victoria Snyder Colin Murtoff, GIS Planner Murph Wysocki Albert Park, Design Planner Diana Zak, Graphics Supervisor Funding Funding was provided by Tredyffrin Township and through the Chester County Vision Partnership Program, sponsored by the Chester County Board of Commissioners. This Plan has been prepared in conjunction with the principles of Chester County’s comprehensive plan policy Landscapes3, as a means of achieving greater consistency between local and county planning programs. Contents Our Vision Introduction The Plan Goals, Objectives, and Recommendations 1: Natural Resources and the Environment 2: Parks and Recreation 3: Historic Preservation 4: Connectivity 5: Community Services and Facilities 6: Commercial and Economic Development 7: Future Land Use 8: Implementation Appendix A. Existing Conditions B. Demographic Profile C. Zoning and Land Use in Adjoining Municipalities D. Ordinance Recommendations E. Community Participation F. Maps TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 1 DRAFT 04/15/21 2 TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DRAFT 04/15/21 1 Natural Resources and the Environment THE PLAN Our Vision Tredyffrin Township will be a safe, connected, attractive and vibrant community for residents, businesses, and visitors. The Township will value its neighborhoods, commercial centers, historic and environmental resources and open space through responsible, measured growth and redevelopment. Key for the Township is delivering efficient, responsive government services and communications that meet the needs of the community. TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 3 DRAFT 04/15/21 Introduction Comprehensive Plan Purpose A comprehensive plan is an adopted policy document that is intended to The Pennsylvania provide long-range guidance for a municipality regarding topics such as Municipalities Planning land use, transportation, economic development, housing, public facilities, Code, Act No. 247 of historic resources, and environmental resources. A comprehensive plan 1968, as reenacted and provides a community with a framework of policies and actions on which amended, empowers to rely when responding to evolving challenges and opportunities. municipalities to… This comprehensive plan, created with the involvement of residents, Plan for their physical business leaders, elected officials, and Township staff, defines a vision for development Tredyffrin Township’s future and provides a series of actions to achieve Develop a blueprint for that vision. This plan is an implementable plan, which focuses on the most housing, transportation, pressing challenges and opportunities, allowing the Township to make the community facilities and most efficient use of resources. Elements of individual topical chapters are utilities, and for land use interrelated and the inventory, analysis, and recommendations have been developed to reflect applicable interrelationships. Establish community development goals and This plan is intended to direct Township actions over the next ten years objectives that guide (2031). At the direction of the Board of Supervisors, the Township should future growth and conduct an annual review of progress and perform an in-depth assessment development at the five year mark (2026). 4 TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DRAFT 04/15/21 INTRODUCTION Planning Process Development of this plan was led by a nine member task force consisting of representatives of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Environmental Advisory Council, civic associations, residents, and Township staff. In addition to regular monthly meetings of the task force, the process included these additional community engagement activities: 1 2 3 4 5 Stakeholders Public Public Public Public Interviews Survey Visioning Meetings Hearing Workshop Winter December 2019 March November TBD 2020 to March 2020 2020 2020 2021 The task force analyzed and evaluated pertinent information affecting land use, housing, connectivity, economic development, environmental resources, parks and recreation, historic preservation, and community facilities in the Township. Recommendations were developed by the task force to meet the challenges and opportunities identified through the planning process, and then shared the recommendations with the public for review and endorsement. TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 5 DRAFT 04/15/21 INTRODUCTION Key Issues and Trends Situated as the major eastern gateway for Chester County, Tredyffrin Reading Township affords it residents with a high quality of life resulting from its diverse economic base, ample recreational amenities and open Tredyffrin spaces, excellent schools, historical legacy, and convenient location at Lancaster Chester Philadelphia County York ^ the western crossroads of Greater Philadelphia. The key issues and trends PENNSYLVANIA facing Tredyffrin Township include: Wilmington Improving upon past growth Tredyffrin experienced a 267 percent increase in population between 1940MARYLAND Vineland and 1980. During this period, many areas developed without infrastructure and amenities, viewed today, as critical elements for improving quality of DELAWARE Baltimore^ life, such as sidewalks, trails, and stormwater management facilities. How these types of amenities are integrated into the already-built environment will continue to challenge the Township. Chester Adjusting to shifting preferences Retail, office, and housing markets throughout the U.S. shifted significantly since the Great Recession and will continue to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More people are expecting experiential retail, a diverse work environment, and housing options in walkable locations. Accommodating population changes There was modest growth after 1980 with only a 26 percent increase in population over the 30 years through 2010, when residents totaled 29,332. Tredyffrin continues to see limited growth due to the relatively built-out nature of the Township, but more recent developments have included larger, multi-family facilities that will continue to bring new residents into the Township. The population is forecasted to reach 33,059 by 2045. 6 TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DRAFT 04/15/21 INTRODUCTION Building on Tredyffrin's Strengths This comprehensive plan is based on an understanding of relevant Appendix conditions that are expected to influence, and be influenced by, the plan. Additional existing The following provides an overview of the major strengths on which to conditions information is build Tredyffrin's future physical development. found in the Appendix. Natural Resources and the Environment Tredyffrin is rich in natural resources and environmentally sensitive areas that help define the Township’s character and are essential in maintaining a healthy, safe, and vibrant community. Conservation and appropriate management of Montgomery the Township’s natural resources are essential for maintaining forested areas County Schuylkill and for protecting steep slopes, surface water, and groundwater. The natural Township environment can be further protected through the use of green infrastructure Although significantly Charlestown developed, Tredyffrin retains and alternative energy, advancing sustainability. Township significant woodland areas. Further, the Township Montgomery continues to improve stream County Schuylkill quality through adoption Montgomery Township of a modern stormwater County management ordinance as Charlestown Township well as additional protections for Trout Creek with a zoning overlay. Montgomery County East Whiteland Township Easttown Delaware Township County Malvern Willistown Borough Township East Whiteland Township Easttown Non-Impaired DelawareStreams Township Impaired StreamsCounty ± Woodlands Greater Than 25 Acres Malvern Willistown Miles Borough Township Protected Open Space and Agricultural Land 0 0.5 1 1.5 TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 7 DRAFT 04/15/21 Non-Impaired Streams Impaired Streams ± Woodlands Greater Than 25 Acres Miles Protected Open Space and Agricultural Land 0 0.5 1 1.5 INTRODUCTION Parks and Recreation Tredyffrin has many parks and recreation options that provide spaces for recreational opportunities as well as to connect citizens with the natural environment. Access to high quality parks such as Wilson Farm Park is an integral component of the quality of life for Tredyffrin residents.